Sushi bracketology: Eating contest seeks a champ

Are you the Tim Hardaway Jr. of sushi? Then RA Sushi wants to see your moves at college basketball championship-inspired eating contests at restaurants in Palm Beach Gardens and Pembroke Pines on Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m.

The champion of each Sushi Showdown wins … more sushi, in the form of 12 $50 RA Sushi gift certificates; other RA gift certificates will be awarded for second place ($100), third ($50) and fourth ($25). All participants receive a complimentary appetizer (sushi?) or lunch card for use at another time.

What you’re training for: The first round will include two brackets of 12 competitors devouring the most of RA Sushi’s signature Tootsy Maki rolls (kani kama crab mix, shrimp and cucumber rolled and topped with crunchy tempura bits) in three minutes. The top three competitors from each heat advance to the championship round, where they will have five minutes to eat more Tootsy Makis.

Sushi Showdowns take place at each restaurant and are limited to the first 24 entrants 18 and older, with applications available at RA Sushi Palm Beach Gardens (Downtown at the Gardens, 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave.) and Pembroke Pines (The Shops at Pembroke Gardens, 201 SW 145th Terrace). Deadline to register is Thursday, April 4. Non-competitors can cheer on participants while enjoying food and drink specials crafted for the event. Info: RASushi.com.